This year’s Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival theme is Landscapes. FLEFF defines Landscapes as “Open and closed spaces. Natural and artificial. Reverence and nostalgia. Geographies and extractions. Material and immaterial. Built and imagined.”

Landscapes can encapsulate almost anything as it allows for creative thinking. I believe this to be an extremely creative theme for this year’s festival.

Merriam-Webster defines “landscapes” as “ an area of land that has a particular quality or appearance” although this is true, I hope that FLEFF takes this genre and theme to a new intuitive level.

At first thought, a landscape is a place. A landscape is a geographical area of land or a location on a map. It is a place to describe where someone is from, or the characteristics of a certain area. This is the way...

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This year’s Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival theme is Landscapes. FLEFF defines Landscapes as “Open and closed spaces. Natural and artificial. Reverence and nostalgia. Geographies and extractions. Material and immaterial. Built and imagined.”

Landscapes can encapsulate almost anything as it allows for creative thinking. I believe this to be an extremely creative theme for this year’s festival.

Merriam-Webster defines “landscapes” as “ an area of land that has a particular quality or appearance” although this is true, I hope that FLEFF takes this genre and theme to a new intuitive level.

At first thought, a landscape is a place. A landscape is a geographical area of land or a location on a map. It is a place to describe where someone is from, or the characteristics of a certain area. This is the way...

My name is Sophia Feuer and I am a sophomore at Ithaca college. I am currently majoring in Cinema and Photography with a concentration in Cinema Production and a minor in Art.

I came to school, leaving behind my hometown of Briarcliff Manor, New York, to pursue my degree in film at Ithaca’s communication department. It was through the Park School that I was introduced to the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival by enrollment in the FLEFF Festivals mini course with Professor Wessels. I instantly fell in love with FLEFF.

When I am not immersing myself in film studies or working on my art projects, I spend my time practicing as a competitive member of the Ithaca Women’s Track and Field team. On top of running, I am also a member of Ithaca’s...

My name is Sophia Feuer and I am a sophomore at Ithaca college. I am currently majoring in Cinema and Photography with a concentration in Cinema Production and a minor in Art.

I came to school, leaving behind my hometown of Briarcliff Manor, New York, to pursue my degree in film at Ithaca’s communication department. It was through the Park School that I was introduced to the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival by enrollment in the FLEFF Festivals mini course with Professor Wessels. I instantly fell in love with FLEFF.

When I am not immersing myself in film studies or working on my art projects, I spend my time practicing as a competitive member of the Ithaca Women’s Track and Field team. On top of running, I am also a member of Ithaca’s...

Film festivals are places of interaction, whether between clients and consumers, filmmakers and narratives, or between the audience members themselves. Each festival has its position in the context of its creation. Some were created to host deals while others were national efforts to promote local art.

So where does FLEFF stand in this spectrum?

FLEFF is a thematic festival dedicated to education.

In addition to hosting films from all over the world, which expose local audiences to new forms of cultural understanding, FLEFF has renowned concerts, book launches, sought after lectures, theatrical performances, and most importantly: a...

Film festivals are places of interaction, whether between clients and consumers, filmmakers and narratives, or between the audience members themselves. Each festival has its position in the context of its creation. Some were created to host deals while others were national efforts to promote local art.

So where does FLEFF stand in this spectrum?

FLEFF is a thematic festival dedicated to education.

In addition to hosting films from all over the world, which expose local audiences to new forms of cultural understanding, FLEFF has renowned concerts, book launches, sought after lectures, theatrical performances, and most importantly: a...

Walking down the hallway to my first interview, steps echoing dully on the carpeted floor, I felt a sense of intimidation. The professor I was to talk to is highly educated in many different areas with many degrees. Who was I, some sophomore kid, to walk into this man’s life, take time out of his busy schedule, and ask him questions about his life?

Enter Dr. Enrique Gonzalez-Conty, a fairly new face here in Ithaca College, and an inspiration to those who are passionate about pursuing different areas of study and following their passions with determination. All it took was one welcoming smile, and a short introduction and I could sense the excitement he had for this year’s FLEFF. Any fear, nerves, intimidation, disappeared within the first few seconds of our meeting.

One beautiful thing about education is that it can be interdisciplinary. There...

Walking down the hallway to my first interview, steps echoing dully on the carpeted floor, I felt a sense of intimidation. The professor I was to talk to is highly educated in many different areas with many degrees. Who was I, some sophomore kid, to walk into this man’s life, take time out of his busy schedule, and ask him questions about his life?

Enter Dr. Enrique Gonzalez-Conty, a fairly new face here in Ithaca College, and an inspiration to those who are passionate about pursuing different areas of study and following their passions with determination. All it took was one welcoming smile, and a short introduction and I could sense the excitement he had for this year’s FLEFF. Any fear, nerves, intimidation, disappeared within the first few seconds of our meeting.

One beautiful thing about education is that it can be interdisciplinary. There...

Well-known film festivals from around the big wide world have the glamour of foreign lands and international fame. However, for college student, affording trips and tickets to these fabulous events can be difficult, to say the least.

Which brings me to FLEFF – an intellectually engaging, thought provoking film festival. And it’s right here in Ithaca.

Well-known film festivals from around the big wide world have the glamour of foreign lands and international fame. However, for college student, affording trips and tickets to these fabulous events can be difficult, to say the least.

Which brings me to FLEFF – an intellectually engaging, thought provoking film festival. And it’s right here in Ithaca.

My name is Timna Mayer. Yes, it’s Tim-na (people usually have trouble understanding my name so I’m just making sure). Anyway, I’m Timna and I come from Salzburg, Austria. Austria is the tiny country right next to Germany (just in case you were wondering). I came here to Ithaca about 1.5 years ago, with only one suitcase and a violin.

I left my home, because, even though Austria is a wonderful country, I had always been feeling as if I didn’t quite fit in- into the bigger picture; a bigger picture drawn precisely, in simple colors (not too bright) and planned out into its greatest detail. I had always been spontaneous, a bit dramatic (as my parents would say) and, most of all, driven by the idea of living a life as a free artist (call me an idealist!).

My name is Timna Mayer. Yes, it’s Tim-na (people usually have trouble understanding my name so I’m just making sure). Anyway, I’m Timna and I come from Salzburg, Austria. Austria is the tiny country right next to Germany (just in case you were wondering). I came here to Ithaca about 1.5 years ago, with only one suitcase and a violin.

I left my home, because, even though Austria is a wonderful country, I had always been feeling as if I didn’t quite fit in- into the bigger picture; a bigger picture drawn precisely, in simple colors (not too bright) and planned out into its greatest detail. I had always been spontaneous, a bit dramatic (as my parents would say) and, most of all, driven by the idea of living a life as a free artist (call me an idealist!).

Hello FLEFFers! Can't make it to the FLEFF Lab in Park 220? No problem! I'm here live blogging to bring you the highlights!

And due to a last minute change, filmmaker Bo Wang, the first Chinese filmmaker to attend FLEFF, will be doing a presentation this hour.

Bo directed a film called China Concerto at 4PM and 9PM tomorrow at Cinemapolis. dGenerate films brings underground, new generation Chinese cinema out of China. This new generation of films emerged post-Tiananmen with a new, radical spin.

"Set the stage for us and walk us through China," Dr. Patricia Zimmermann began the

Bo described a brief history of China. After Mao died in 1976, the country began to adopt capitalism.

Hello FLEFFers! Can't make it to the FLEFF Lab in Park 220? No problem! I'm here live blogging to bring you the highlights!

And due to a last minute change, filmmaker Bo Wang, the first Chinese filmmaker to attend FLEFF, will be doing a presentation this hour.

Bo directed a film called China Concerto at 4PM and 9PM tomorrow at Cinemapolis. dGenerate films brings underground, new generation Chinese cinema out of China. This new generation of films emerged post-Tiananmen with a new, radical spin.

"Set the stage for us and walk us through China," Dr. Patricia Zimmermann began the

Bo described a brief history of China. After Mao died in 1976, the country began to adopt capitalism.

And once again we are back in Park 220 for FLEFF Lab Friday. Kelly Matheson from WITNESS is here and Dr. Patricia Zimmermann is moderating this hour. Come on by!

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Kelly begins with the well-known video of Rodney King. It was the catalyst for witness and proved that video could enact social action and change. So, they got together and got video cameras all over to record stories all around. And for 20 years, after working through many issues, they are working to create many international videos and tell compelling stories.

QUESTION: Who is Oscar Grant?

How do you get your video seen when there is an absurd saturation of digital media out there? That is an issue that Kelly and others like her deal with constantly.

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Informed consent is the current topic of Kelly's. She is screening clips from a huge variety of projects. Including a short from her TRUST series...

And once again we are back in Park 220 for FLEFF Lab Friday. Kelly Matheson from WITNESS is here and Dr. Patricia Zimmermann is moderating this hour. Come on by!

---------

Kelly begins with the well-known video of Rodney King. It was the catalyst for witness and proved that video could enact social action and change. So, they got together and got video cameras all over to record stories all around. And for 20 years, after working through many issues, they are working to create many international videos and tell compelling stories.

QUESTION: Who is Oscar Grant?

How do you get your video seen when there is an absurd saturation of digital media out there? That is an issue that Kelly and others like her deal with constantly.

---------

Informed consent is the current topic of Kelly's. She is screening clips from a huge variety of projects. Including a short from her TRUST series...

Blog post written by Kristen Tomkowid, Journalism '15, FLEFF Intern, Poughkeepsie, New York

Nicholas DiEugenio is an assistant professor in the IC School of Music with specialties in violin and chamber music. At this year's festival, Carmina Burana will be performed by local musicians. DiEugenio talked about his involvement with this performance.

Kristen Tomkowid: How did you become a part of FLEFF?

Nicholas DiEugenio:I'm extremely privileged to live in Ithaca and to teach violin at the IC School of Music. One of my colleagues, Deborah Martin, is organizing this year's FLEFF performance of Carmina Burana, and she asked if I would be interested in participating. Of course I was glad to accept the offer!

KT: Have you ever performed Carmina Burana before? If yes, where/when?

ND:I have never been a part of a performance of this work before. However, even if I...

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Blog post written by Kristen Tomkowid, Journalism '15, FLEFF Intern, Poughkeepsie, New York

Nicholas DiEugenio is an assistant professor in the IC School of Music with specialties in violin and chamber music. At this year's festival, Carmina Burana will be performed by local musicians. DiEugenio talked about his involvement with this performance.

Kristen Tomkowid: How did you become a part of FLEFF?

Nicholas DiEugenio:I'm extremely privileged to live in Ithaca and to teach violin at the IC School of Music. One of my colleagues, Deborah Martin, is organizing this year's FLEFF performance of Carmina Burana, and she asked if I would be interested in participating. Of course I was glad to accept the offer!

KT: Have you ever performed Carmina Burana before? If yes, where/when?

ND:I have never been a part of a performance of this work before. However, even if I...

A few days ago, I had the privilege of talking with Ithaca College Associate TVR Professor and film maker John Scott. We talked about his involvement in FLEFF, both past and present.

Some background on John: He received his BFA in Film Production from Concordia University in 1990, his BA in Honors English from Dalhouse Universtiy in 1992 and his MFA in Film and Video Production from The University of Iowa in 1999. He has directed over a dozen independent documentary projects and one feature-length documentary called The Scouts Are Cancelled. Some of John's more recent work will be shown at the upcoming FLEFF Kick-Off on March 3rd. Below is a glimpse of our conversation together:

Kristen Tomkowid: How did you get involved with FLEFF?

John Scott: I had a feature length documentary shown in FLEFF in 2008 and...

A few days ago, I had the privilege of talking with Ithaca College Associate TVR Professor and film maker John Scott. We talked about his involvement in FLEFF, both past and present.

Some background on John: He received his BFA in Film Production from Concordia University in 1990, his BA in Honors English from Dalhouse Universtiy in 1992 and his MFA in Film and Video Production from The University of Iowa in 1999. He has directed over a dozen independent documentary projects and one feature-length documentary called The Scouts Are Cancelled. Some of John's more recent work will be shown at the upcoming FLEFF Kick-Off on March 3rd. Below is a glimpse of our conversation together:

Kristen Tomkowid: How did you get involved with FLEFF?

John Scott: I had a feature length documentary shown in FLEFF in 2008 and...

Getting excited for the FLEFF March 3rd Kickoff Screening? I know I am! I'm even more excited for the screening after getting the chance to speak with Karen Rodriguez, the curator for this year's screening. Read on to learn about the purpose of the screening, the filmmakers you can expect to meet, and the works you can expect to see!

Chloe Wilson: For those who aren't very familiar with FLEFF, can you give a quick description about what this year's Kickoff Screening is for?

Karen Rodriguez:This screening is for two things. It starts the FLEFF season is comprised of films that have already been screened at FLEFF in the past years and that are made by local filmmakers.The second reason is that it’s a also a fundraiser for

Getting excited for the FLEFF March 3rd Kickoff Screening? I know I am! I'm even more excited for the screening after getting the chance to speak with Karen Rodriguez, the curator for this year's screening. Read on to learn about the purpose of the screening, the filmmakers you can expect to meet, and the works you can expect to see!

Chloe Wilson: For those who aren't very familiar with FLEFF, can you give a quick description about what this year's Kickoff Screening is for?

Karen Rodriguez:This screening is for two things. It starts the FLEFF season is comprised of films that have already been screened at FLEFF in the past years and that are made by local filmmakers.The second reason is that it’s a also a fundraiser for

Evan Meaney is a professor of transmedia design at the University of Tennessee. And, he is both an Ithaca College graduate and FLEFF alum. He will be returning this year due to his involvement with Null_Sets, winner of the Distributed Microtopias jury prize.

First, what is transmedia?

Meaney described transmedia as the communication of ideas through different forms. It has a lot to do with everything. It includes the science behind the work, the math in the program, and anything else that may be involved.

Evan Meaney is a professor of transmedia design at the University of Tennessee. And, he is both an Ithaca College graduate and FLEFF alum. He will be returning this year due to his involvement with Null_Sets, winner of the Distributed Microtopias jury prize.

First, what is transmedia?

Meaney described transmedia as the communication of ideas through different forms. It has a lot to do with everything. It includes the science behind the work, the math in the program, and anything else that may be involved.

That was the question that presented itself. As I was thinking about this year's theme, I started to think about FLEFF and all the hard work that goes into coordinating and funding such a globally significant event. Then I had an epiphany. FLEFF draws people from all our the world. It mobilizes people to come to Ithaca for one week, to share in the same experience, and then take that experience and spread it around the world. And our collaboration with this year's international partners, EngageMedia and Derive App, will only expand FLEFF's global influence even further.

At the same time, the international scholars and filmmakers who attend FLEFF add to the local culture of...

That was the question that presented itself. As I was thinking about this year's theme, I started to think about FLEFF and all the hard work that goes into coordinating and funding such a globally significant event. Then I had an epiphany. FLEFF draws people from all our the world. It mobilizes people to come to Ithaca for one week, to share in the same experience, and then take that experience and spread it around the world. And our collaboration with this year's international partners, EngageMedia and Derive App, will only expand FLEFF's global influence even further.

At the same time, the international scholars and filmmakers who attend FLEFF add to the local culture of...

Blog posting written by Hana Raskin, Communication Management & Design '12, FLEFF intern, New York City

Tom Torello is a graduate of Ithaca College, where he majored in Television and Radio with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations. He has worked in New York City as a media planner at a big agency, for clients like Proctor & Gamble and Richardson Vicks.

He started working in higher education marketing, first as the marketing director at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and later serving as Ithaca College’s first executive director of marketing communications. While at IC, he was also the marketing director for FLEFF.

Torello later assumed the position of Vice President for University Relations at Pace University in New York City. But now he is back in Ithaca, because, well, this is where his heart is and where he wants to raise his family.

He currently sits on FLEFF’s international advisory...

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Blog posting written by Hana Raskin, Communication Management & Design '12, FLEFF intern, New York City

Tom Torello is a graduate of Ithaca College, where he majored in Television and Radio with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations. He has worked in New York City as a media planner at a big agency, for clients like Proctor & Gamble and Richardson Vicks.

He started working in higher education marketing, first as the marketing director at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and later serving as Ithaca College’s first executive director of marketing communications. While at IC, he was also the marketing director for FLEFF.

Torello later assumed the position of Vice President for University Relations at Pace University in New York City. But now he is back in Ithaca, because, well, this is where his heart is and where he wants to raise his family.

Carlos Gutiérrez met his business partner Monika Wagenberg back in 1997 when they were both students in the Cinema Studies program at NYU. At the time, Latin American cinema was not very prevalent in the United States. Carlos and Monika wanted to find a way to "promote cinema from the region, locally," and thus, Cinema Tropical was born. Now, Cinema Tropical (CT) is the leading presenter of Latin American cinema in the U.S.

I got the chance to talk to Carlos about Cinema Tropical, Latin American cinema and how it all ties in to FLEFF.

Q. How would you say that Cinema Tropical has impacted the distribution and awareness of Latin American films in the US?

A. It’s hard to assess, but I think one of the key aspects of Cinema Tropical has been creating a community of film professionals and an audience. We’ve been here for almost 11 years, really pushing hard. We can now see it’s a very different world from when we first...

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Carlos Gutiérrez met his business partner Monika Wagenberg back in 1997 when they were both students in the Cinema Studies program at NYU. At the time, Latin American cinema was not very prevalent in the United States. Carlos and Monika wanted to find a way to "promote cinema from the region, locally," and thus, Cinema Tropical was born. Now, Cinema Tropical (CT) is the leading presenter of Latin American cinema in the U.S.

I got the chance to talk to Carlos about Cinema Tropical, Latin American cinema and how it all ties in to FLEFF.

Q. How would you say that Cinema Tropical has impacted the distribution and awareness of Latin American films in the US?

A. It’s hard to assess, but I think one of the key aspects of Cinema Tropical has been creating a community of film professionals and an audience. We’ve been here for almost 11 years, really pushing hard. We can now see it’s a very different world from when we first...

As a FLEFF Intern for the 2012 season, I have had the pleasure of attending class weekly with two brilliant and inspiring internship coordinators - one of whom is Philip Wilde. Phil was kind enough to spend an extra ten minutes of his evening discussing his background in film, his involvement in FLEFF, and some advice for festival goers this year:

On His Journey to Video

Phil began his college career as a science major at Cornell University, here in Ithaca, NY. However, his true calling began in 1971, the year in which he first picked up a video camera, and "never looked back." Phil operates a production company with his wife - and fellow internship coordinator - Ann Michel. Together they create videos, mostly scientific in nature.

As a FLEFF Intern for the 2012 season, I have had the pleasure of attending class weekly with two brilliant and inspiring internship coordinators - one of whom is Philip Wilde. Phil was kind enough to spend an extra ten minutes of his evening discussing his background in film, his involvement in FLEFF, and some advice for festival goers this year:

On His Journey to Video

Phil began his college career as a science major at Cornell University, here in Ithaca, NY. However, his true calling began in 1971, the year in which he first picked up a video camera, and "never looked back." Phil operates a production company with his wife - and fellow internship coordinator - Ann Michel. Together they create videos, mostly scientific in nature.

Blog post written by Kelsey Green, Documentary Studies and Production, '13, FLEFF intern, Buffalo, New York

I grew up an hour outside of Buffalo, NY, but currently, I reside in Ithaca, New York, where I am a sophomore enrolled in Documentary Studies and Production at Ithaca College.

I am from a rural area and therefore enjoy many activities outdoors such as horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking.Ithaca is a great place to pursue my studies because there are so many natural areas to explore nearby.

On campus, I am engaged in several ways.I am a resident assistant for the first year living community on campus. And, I'm also a dean’s host for the Roy H. Park School of Communications.

When I am not on duty in the residential halls or giving tours of the Park School, the multimedia section of The...

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Blog post written by Kelsey Green, Documentary Studies and Production, '13, FLEFF intern, Buffalo, New York

I grew up an hour outside of Buffalo, NY, but currently, I reside in Ithaca, New York, where I am a sophomore enrolled in Documentary Studies and Production at Ithaca College.

I am from a rural area and therefore enjoy many activities outdoors such as horseback riding, kayaking, and hiking.Ithaca is a great place to pursue my studies because there are so many natural areas to explore nearby.

On campus, I am engaged in several ways.I am a resident assistant for the first year living community on campus. And, I'm also a dean’s host for the Roy H. Park School of Communications.

When I am not on duty in the residential halls or giving tours of the Park School, the multimedia section of The...

I'm Gena (pronounced like "Jenna") Mangiaratti, I'm a sophomore Journalism major with a minor in Anthropology. I'm from right outside of Springfield, Massachusetts.

In a little more than a year and a half at Ithaca, I feel like I have learned more about the world outside of my surroundings than in all the time leading up to it. As a journalist, I'm drawn to writing articles that spread awareness of human rights abuses or that bring understanding to differing sides of a conflict. One of my main commitments at Ithaca is being a staff writer for Buzzsaw Magazine, a student-run alternative literary magazine that focuses on politics and social justice.

I was drawn to FLEFF because I wanted to learn more about film as a vehicle for educating others. I am also very interested in learning about the inspirations behind creative people. So far as a FLEFF intern I have had the opportunity to watch a screening...

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I'm Gena (pronounced like "Jenna") Mangiaratti, I'm a sophomore Journalism major with a minor in Anthropology. I'm from right outside of Springfield, Massachusetts.

In a little more than a year and a half at Ithaca, I feel like I have learned more about the world outside of my surroundings than in all the time leading up to it. As a journalist, I'm drawn to writing articles that spread awareness of human rights abuses or that bring understanding to differing sides of a conflict. One of my main commitments at Ithaca is being a staff writer for Buzzsaw Magazine, a student-run alternative literary magazine that focuses on politics and social justice.

I was drawn to FLEFF because I wanted to learn more about film as a vehicle for educating others. I am also very interested in learning about the inspirations behind creative people. So far as a FLEFF intern I have had the opportunity to watch a screening...

Hello FLEFF following world! Welcome to our FLEFF blog! To start things off, my name is Lindsay Harrop. I am currently a sophomore Cinema & Photography major at Ithaca College with a concentration in Screenwriting and a Politics minor.

I grew up in beautiful McMinnville, Oregon and came to Ithaca for the Park School of Communications. A bonus of living here is that - and this might be hard to believe - I love the cold! It only rains at home so I have a lot of fun with the snow and sub-freezing temperatures.

On campus I am a Leadership Scholar, Resident Assistant, Vice-President of the Writing for Production Association in Park and a delegate of the Ithaca College Model United...

Hello FLEFF following world! Welcome to our FLEFF blog! To start things off, my name is Lindsay Harrop. I am currently a sophomore Cinema & Photography major at Ithaca College with a concentration in Screenwriting and a Politics minor.

I grew up in beautiful McMinnville, Oregon and came to Ithaca for the Park School of Communications. A bonus of living here is that - and this might be hard to believe - I love the cold! It only rains at home so I have a lot of fun with the snow and sub-freezing temperatures.

On campus I am a Leadership Scholar, Resident Assistant, Vice-President of the Writing for Production Association in Park and a delegate of the Ithaca College Model United...